PRE-SCHOOL teachers could soon start leading enrichment lessons in subjects like drama and music as part of a plan to boost teacher salaries and increase the appeal of the profession.

The Association of Private Childcare Organisations (APCO), which represents about 200 of the 545 private childcare centres here, is sending teachers for training in a variety of co-curricular areas now handled by private companies.

Armed with the training, teachers could see their salaries - which are generally between $1,400 and $1,800 a month - rise up to 20 per cent, said Apco chairman Sam Yap.

The move is designed to stem the flow of teachers from the profession. An Education Services Union survey done last year of 5,000 pre-school teachers showed that 34 per cent wanted to leave their jobs in 12 months. More than half said their main complaint was low pay.

Demand for teachers is expected to rise in the coming years; the Government has announced plans to build another 200 childcare centres by 2013 as part of a drive to allow more mothers to return to work.

To meet the demand, Apco will also start recruiting teachers from Malaysia by the end of the year.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.